NJ A2333

Establishes the Training Clinicians to Support Adults with Autism Workforce Development Program at Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services to recruit and train individuals who will serve adults with autism and develop innovations to improve their quality of life

Requires the program to enroll at least 8-10 students annually and provide 20-40 hours of intensive training per week, recruiting from baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral programs across disciplines including psychology, medicine, law, education, social work, and computer science

Training must include hands-on clinical experience with senior staff, academic coursework, research opportunities on best practices for adults with autism, and completion of a capstone project focused on improving outcomes

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services for program establishment and implementation

Addresses the lack of trained support staff and research-based practices for the growing population of adults with autism in New Jersey who often face social isolation, unemployment, and limited access to services